PHL industries bare development roadmaps

Development goals and needs of the manufacturing, chemicals, and copper industries were unveiled on Tuesday, the first three of 30 industry roadmaps designed to bolster investments in the country and fuel the economy.

“These roadmaps are expected to increase our capabilities and determine interventions that the government can provide,” Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said at the Trade and Industry Development Updates.

The industry plans were put forward for the government's consideration.

“Among the interventions that we are looking at include tailor-fitting incentives to fit closer to the roadmaps,” Domingo said.

Manufacturing resurgence

The manufacturing industry set a 12-year, three-phase plan, with the first stage rebuilding capacities of existing Philippine industries and strengthening emerging ones from 2014 to 2017.

Emerging industries include tobacco, electric power machinery, glass, milk and cream, metal salts, and parts for tractors and motor vehicles, said Rafaelita Aldaba, senior research fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies.

The second phase set by the manufacturing sector, from 2018 to 2021, will allow the sector to shift to high-value adding activites and intergarting with small- and medium-enterprises.

Efforts setting up regional hubs for production networks of automotive, electronics, garments, and food industries are eyed from 2022 to 2025.

$30 billion in chemical exports

For the chemical industry, the main goal is to become the Philippines “largest export industry,” contributing as much as $30 billion by 2030.

Specifically, the chemical industry will achieve this by establish the Chemical Industry Council and integrate with the petrochemical industry by 2016. Diversification and penetration into the Southeast Asian market and improvements on domestic feedstock are eyed by 2022.

The industry wants to gain support from the government to send engineers and science graduates for overseas education, curb smuggling, and establish a Chemical Industry Cluster Zone.

Copper exports growth

The copper industry wants to grow its exports to $2.45 billion by 2030, while it wants to strengthen partnerships with international copper organization.

The sector is also batting for its inclusion in the 2014 Investment Priorities Plan amid request to clarify rules on open pit mining. It also wants making mining areas economic zones, with fiscal incentives limited to the revenue sharing scheme currently being formulated by the government. — BM, GMA News